Unaware at the time, Parker had fallen victim to a virtual kidnapping scam.

According to the FBI, "Virtual kidnapping takes on many forms, it is always an extortion scheme - one that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death."

Raleigh father targeted for over $5k after scammer said his son was in danger. Hear how much he gave the scammer and his warning to others today on Eyewitness News. #ABC11pic.twitter.com/IzUcATspGH

The scammer kept Parker on the line and instructed him to send cash. After a few minutes, Parker went to the Walmart at 6600 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh.

The married father of two went inside the store and proceeded through with the transaction along with a note Parker had written that read: 'THEY'VE GOT MY SON HOSTAGE, I'M IN GRAVE DANGER. PLEASE CALL THE POLICE."

Mark Parker said he was caught up by emotion when the scammers called in reference to his son.

Parker said the Walmart cashier was cooperative and stalled the transaction while they called the police who arrived within 5 minutes.Out of the $5,100 demanded, Parker wired $500 to Puerto Rico before an error occurred in the transaction.

"You need to leave and get right out," Parker said as he described the caller's demands. "Something's not right."

Parker was told to check his account balance at a nearby ATM and later return to the Walmart. It was during this ordeal that Raleigh Police received at least three other phone calls of the same nature and realized Parker had fallen victim to a scam.

"I pretty much fell to the ground in emotion," Parker said. "In retrospect, I'd wish I'd thought about it and slowed things down a little bit. But the way (the scammer) was speaking with me, I just got caught up in the emotions.

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